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(No Model.; l l `2 sheets-sheet 1'. J. HATFIELD 8v P. A. RIVERS. BOAT.

No. 598,089. Patented Feb. 1, law

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J. HATPIELD 81; F. A. RIVERS.

BOAT.

No. 598.089.l Patented Feb. 1, 1898.

v UNITED STATES lOl-IN HATFIELD AND FRANK AUBREY RIVERS, OF BROOKLYN,NEW' BOAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,089, dated February1, 18.98.

Application led November 18, 189

keel the boat is divided similar to a catama-A To coll whom it mayconcern: Y ,Y

Be it known that we, JOHN -HATFIELD and FRANK AUBREY RIVERS, citizens ofthe United States, 'residing at Brooklyn, in the county of KingsandState of New York, have invented 'certain new and useful Improvementsin Boats, of which the following is a full and complete specification,such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

Our invention relates to a center-channel paddle-boat which is adaptedto be propelled by machinery and mechanism the idea of which is beforethe Patent Ofiice under an vzqtlplication entitled an Endless-chainoscilof our invention, such as would enable any one skilled in the artto clearly understand, construct, and use the same.

In the drawings similar letters refer to sim ilar parts, in which-Figure l is a vertical sectional view lof ia vessel, showing ourinvention. Fig. 2 is a plan'view of the same, showing in particular thecentral channel in which the means for propulsion are to be secured.Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a sectionon the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

A represents the hull of a boat having a bow B, formed in any manner orimproved style, and tapering downwardly and backwardly therefrom is acentral keel D, which extends downwardly as far as the side keels,

hereinafter described, and then curves up- 6. Serial No. 612,591. (Nomodel.)

ran or, in other words, formed into two distinct hulls a and d', eachhaving, respectively, on the lower side thereof the aforesaid keels Eand F, the said hulls being secured together by decks e, one of which isshown in section in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, andsaid boat being also providedwith astern O. It is to be understood, however, that the vessel does notrepresent a catamaran in its entire construction, for the bow, formedlike any other boat, is provided with a main hull c2 and two hulls inconnection therewith, as clearly shown.

The space left between the two hulls forms therein means or machineryfor propelling the vessel, as may be desired, while at the rear portionof this channel are grooves H H, in which is mounted a sluice-gate J,carrying on the rear face of the same a rack K, which is operated by agear-wheel L, moved and turned by suitable means in the vessel, andwhich is here not shown. This sluice-gate is adapted to be kept-at apoint which is above the water-line of the boat and prevents any backwaves from getting into the machinery, while it may, on the other hand,have formed on the forward side of the same a miniature bow g, thusallowing it to pass freely through the high waves or spray which mightbe thrown up .against the same.

The channel G extends forwardly at a determined distance, and the sideshave formed in the same at the forward end thereof grooves M M incommunication with the said channel similar in size to those H H, formedin the rear of the said channel, while the forward end of this channelslopes downwardly and forwardly, gradually emerging into the centralkeel D, hereinbefore described. Mounted in the grooves M and M is arack-bar m, adapted to move upwardly and downwardly bymeans of agear-wheel N, meshing with the same and operating in the manner similarto that of the sluice-gate. On the rear face of this bar is formeda-breakwater O, having its lower face concave, as is clearly 'shown inFig. l, thus allowing the water as it comes rushing up from the back ofthe keel F to be guided downwardly in a strong .current and Vwith littleliability of rushing a center channel G, and there may be placed IDOagainst the propelling mechanism mounted in said channel before it getsdown into the water.

The construction thus described is one which clearly, as hereinbeforementioned, obviates all danger of settling or rolling in case of runningaground, as the double keel would allow the vessel to be held upright,while, on the other hand, it would prevent a great amount of rolling andtossing in a storm, thus providing great comfort to the passengers; andin this kind of vessel great accuracy of firing in men-of-war would beattained, and it would be practically a non-sinkable boat, and therewould be less strain, as there would be no part of the propellingmechanism of the vessel exposed to the action of the waves during astorm, as is the case in the present construction. In addition to theseadvantages it will be seen that greater space may be provided forcarrying passengers in proportion to the draft of the vessel, .and hencethere would be a universal use of this construction in boat-building inall styles of navigation-marine, lake, river, or stream.

Having now described our invention7 what we claim as new, and wish toprotect by Letters Patent, is

1. A'center-.channel paddle-boat having a bow, a central keel secured tothe lower portion thereof, two hulls formed in the rear portion of thesaid vessel and in connection with said bow, a center channel formedbetween said hulls, means secured therein forguiding all`wave current,all of the said parts being combined substantially as and for thepurposes set forth and described.

2. A center-channel boat having a bow, a central keel in the lowerportion thereof and extending backwardly a predetermined distance, adownwardly and forwardly projecting wall emerging into said keel, acenter channel formed in the said boat, hulls on either side thereof,said hulls being provided with grooves on their inner faces incommunication with the said center channel, a sluicegate mounted in saidgrooves and the rear portion of said channel, means for operating thesame, and a breakwater secured to the said downwardly and forwardlyprojecting wall, all of the said parts being combined substantially asand for the purpose set forth and described.

3. A vessel having a bow, a keel secured to the forward portion of thesame and extending backwardly and upwardly therefrom, hulls formed onthe rear portion ofsaid bow,

and extending backwardly, forming therebetween a center channel, andbeing provided in the inner side thereof and in connection with saidcenter channel with vertically-extending grooves at each end of thesame, a sluice-gate mounted in said rear grooves and adapted to beadjusted vertically, a rack-bar secured to the rear'upper face of saidgate, a gear-wheel mounted in said boat and adapted to actuate saidrack-bar, a second rack-bar mounted in the forward portion of said boatand in the remaining of said grooves, a breakwater having a concavedlower curved face and secured to the rear face of said bar, means foroperating said bar, and keels secured to said vessel, and extendinglongitudinally along the lower portion of said hulls, all of the saidparts being combined substantially as and for the purposes set forth anddescribed.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention we have signedour names, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 13th day ofNovember, 1896.

JOHN HATFIELD. FRANK AUBREY RIVERS.

Vitnesses:

THOS. A. AcroN, CHARLES S. ROGERS.

